Time to die? No, Blade Runner set to be reborn

In the world of Blade Runner, replicants can't grow old but now they can be at least reborn. Variety reports that Alcon Entertainment is about to finalize plans to produce prequels and sequels to the 1982 movie starring Harrison Ford and Rutger Hauer -- possibly involving original director Ridley Scott.

"We're at a very preliminary stage where we're still formulating strategy as to whether we'll hire a filmmaker or a writer first and whether we'll do a prequel or a sequel," Alcon's Andrew Kosove said. "The one thing for sure is that neither Broderick [Johnson, another Alcon head] nor I will direct."

The original movie starred Ford as a police officer of sorts in charge of hunting down escaped replicants -- genetically engineered androids (essentially robotic slaves) created to do the dangerous work on other planets. Hauer is the leader of a pod of replicants that escape back to Earth, looking for a way to prolong their predetermined lifespans.

No word yet on whether Ford would reprise his role in any future Blade Runner projects, but given his eager cooperation in the Indiana Jones sequels, it's hard to imagine him saying no. Personally, I'd rather see the story staged as a prequel and concentrate on Hauer's character.

TOP 5 RUTGER HAUER QUOTES FROM BLADE RUNNER:

5. "Quite an experience to live in fear, isn't it?"

4. "Fiery the angels fell. Deep thunder rolled around their shoulders... burning with the fires of Orc."

3. "Chew, if only you could see what I've seen with your eyes!"

2. "Gosh, you've... really got some nice toys here."

1. "I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time... like tears in rain... Time to die."

About this blog

Relive the '80s music, movies and culture with Tampa Bay Times correspondent Steve Spears. A teen during the greatest decade ever, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to big hair.